"HARRY!"
He stumbled slightly before turning round to face me. A frown etched into his brow as he scanned for the person calling his name. His eyes locked on me. One of the guys took his distraction as an opportunity to hit Harry hard in the face. My hand flew up to my mouth in shock. Why was he fighting again? My thoughts jumbled as I ran across the road to the group. Harry up against the wall as he took another fist to his face. Fear coursed through me as I recognised the guy beating Harry. Jake. His cuts had healed slightly, but his bruised eyes looked painful. The right, darker than the left. A smirk crossed his injured features as he watched me sprint up to them. When I reached them my arms were roughly tugged behind my back by the man I assumed to be Jake's friend. I was forced to watch, desperately looking to Harry; his jaw tight with anger.
"Nice to see you again, Bo." Jake teased.
His attention diverted back to Harry, who was intently staring at me. That was until I witnessed Jake's clenched fist pound into Harry's stomach. A grunt was forced from his parted lips, his body bent over slightly as he clutched his abdomen. I knew he had been drinking, the air around them smelling strongly of alcohol. Jake's fist rose again.
"Don't." I warned.
My elbow sharply jutted back into the stomach of the man detaining me. He cursed before shoving me away. He quickly disappeared out of the alley and onto the street, clearly displeased that I had put up a fight. I urgently placed myself in between Jake and Harry, who was slumped against the wall. Jake sniggered, reaching out to brush his fingers against my face, but I quickly pushed it away.
"You shouldn't bother with him, babe."
He dipped his head down slightly to my level.
"I'd give you what you need."
I didn't really have time to process what I was doing. My right hand rose and smacked him hard across his cheek. The force caused his head to turn. My chest quickly moved as my rate of my breathing increased. I heard Harry deeply laugh behind me. Jake angrily stared at me; his vision then diverted behind me towards Harry.
"You need a girl to protect you." Jake taunted.
We both knew this would provoke him. Harry shoved himself off the wall, stumbling forward to try and get to Jake.
"For god sake, Harry. Just stop."
I forcefully pushed him back, the action more affective when he was intoxicated. Any other time his body wouldn't have budged. His curls lay messily over his forehead, his normally sparkly green eyes looked dull. His beautiful face left injured after taking multiple hits. I spun round, my back nearly touching Harry's chest as I defensively stood in front of him. My hands trembled at my sides as I looked up at Jake's smirk.
"Just leave." I told him.
It surprised me when Jake slowly turned, strolling away.
"I'll be seeing you, Styles."
I fell back slightly, Harry's warm breath trickled over my neck. Relief washed through me.
"Oh, and you too, gorgeous."
The comment angered Harry and I felt him struggle behind me. My body hastily spun, desperately trying to keep him there. My hands caught hold of his face, angling it down to me.
"No, no." I spoke. "Look at me." My voice deliberately soft as I attempted to calm him down.
His focus stayed fixed on me until I was sure Jake had gone. Harry's breathing was still fast but at least I had managed to prevent him from challenging Jake. I caught hold of his chin, tilting it to get a better look at his injuries. Harry's swollen bottom lip had been split open, blood smeared across his cheek from his nose. The small cut just above his left eyebrow oozed blood. His dark gaze never left my face as I sighed and shook my head.
